Alumni Recognition

Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity is proud to share that John McDonald, Purdue ’70, has been selected to receive the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award by the Purdue University College of Engineering. Awarded annually, the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award represents the most notable engineering professionals of Purdue among its 13 schools of engineering and is the College of Engineering’s highest honor.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, John joined the Delta Delta Chapter at Purdue in 1970. Self-described as very shy and introverted before joining Delta Sigma Phi, John now travels the world giving distinguished lectures and technical talks. Brother McDonald earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Purdue in electrical and computer engineering and his MBA from Cal-Berkeley.

John has been with GE since 2007 and is the Smart Grid Business Development Leader for GE’s Grid Solutions business, a role he has assumed since early 2016. He has been involved with IEEE for over 50 years and held numerous leadership positions including President of the IEEE Power & Energy Society. John is asked to participate in multiple university research advisory councils and was a founding member of Purdue University Discovery Park’s Strategic Research Advisory Council.

Brother McDonald teaches Smart Grid courses at Georgia Tech and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and one for GE. He has co-authored five books and has one US Patent. John has received many awards and accolades over his career from numerous professional associations, including but not limited to being elected to the National Academy of Engineering – the highest honor for any engineer. He is a Life Fellow of IEEE. In 2009 he also received the Purdue University Outstanding Electrical & Computer Engineer Award from the School of ECE.

John resides in Duluth, GA with his wife Jo-Ann. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity is proud of Brother McDonald for his many significant accomplishments and contributions to his profession and peers.